Variety of Geranium named Precious

ABSTRACT

This new cultivar is characterized by its unique color, a light orchid with a touch of white in the center of each floret contrasted against the deep green foliage. It is also characterized by a more than usual number of smaller individual flower heads. The variety maintains its compact, uniform shape. Further, indoors the variety blooms early with many, medium sized blossoms making it a good cutting producer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPelargonium×hortorum known by the varietal name Precious (Oglevee No.7023, V.E.B. Code P-25) formerly Krystal. The new variety was discoveredin a selected breeding program in 1985 in Dresden, East Germany. The newvariety is a selection from the crossing of PAC Rosalie, PAC Yvonne,inbreed lines and rose colored breeding stocks. The new variety wasfirst asexually reproduced by cuttings at VEB Saat-und Pflanzgut, Ex-undImport, Moosdorfstrasse 3, 1193 Berlin, East Germany. The new varietyhas been asexually reproduced by cuttings at Oglevee Ltd. inConnellsville, Penn. over a several year period. It has also been trialand field tested at Connellsville and has been found to retain itsdistinctive characteristics through successive propagations.

The cultivar when grown in a glass greenhouse in Connellsville, Penn.using natural light and 60° F. night, 68° F. day and 71° F. vent, has aresponse time of six weeks from a rooted cutting to flowering in a 10cm. pot. The response time was determined on plants grown in soillessmedia employing constant fertilizer 200 parts per million of nitrogenand potassium in full light. The rooted cuttings were potted Feb. 14,1990 and flowered on Apr. 1, 1990.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 of the accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the newcultivar the color being as nearly true as possible with colorillustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics werecollected by asexual reproductions carried out by Oglevee Ltd. inConnellsville, Penn. The plant history was taken on six weeks plantsblossomed under natural light in a greenhouse and the color readingswere taken indoors under 100-125 foot candles of florescent cool whitelight. Color references are primarily to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of TheRoyal Horticultural Society of London.

THE PLANT

Classification:

Botanical.--Pelargonium×hortorum.

Commercial.--Zonal Geranium.

Form: Compact mound habit, basal branching.

Height.--19.0 to 20.0 cm. from media surface.

Growth.--Free and early flowering, basal branching, strong but compacthabit.

Strength: Keeps its compact mound shape throughout the growing season.

Foliage: Little or no zoning; stalked leaf attachment.

Leaves:

Size.--6.5 to 10.0 cm. across.

Shape.--Reniform; cordate base.

Margin.--Crenate.

Texture.--Slightly pubescent, leathery appearance.

Color.--Top: Green group 137C. Bottom: Yellow/green group 146B.

Ribs and veins.--Palmate venation Color: Yellow/green group 146C.

Petioles: Color: Yellow/green group 146B. Length: 5.0 to 10.0 cm. inlength.

Stem:

Color.--Yellow/green group 146B.

Internodes.--2.5 to 5.0 cm. in length.

THE BUD

Shape: Hemispherical cluster; upright.

Size: 2.0 to 4.0 cm. across.

INFLORESCENCE

Blooming habit: Continuous blooming; many hemispherical clusters;semi-double; self-cleaning.

Size: 9.5 to 10.5 cm. across at the widest point.

Borne: Umbel; florets on pedicel, pedicel on peduncle; 6.5 to 11.0 cm.above foliage canopy.

Form.--Flat to slightly cupped.

Color.--Top: Purple group 75B along with a blotch of white on upper twopetals giving the appearance of a white eye. Bottom: Purple group 75C.

Petals.--Obovate; separate, not united; margin entire, 6 to 8 in number.

Size.--4.0 to 5.0 cm. across.

Texture and appearance.--Smooth and satiny. Appearance from a distance,delicate orchid bloom accented by a small white eye flowering above acanopy of deep forest green foliage.

Petaloids:

Quantity.--1 to 3 in number.

Shape.--Elongated; twisted; some resemble petals except for deformedshape and pollen attached.

Color.--Purple group 75B.

Pedicel:

Length.--2.0 to 2.8 cm.

Color.--Bi-color; Greyed/purple group 183A reprsents most of the pedicelexcept the end that attaches to the peduncle which is Yellow/green group146C.

Peduncle:

Color.--Yellow/green group 146B.

Length.--13.5 to 18.5 cm.

Disease resistance: Not known.

Lasting quality: This variety has been trialed outdoors in the summersof 1988 and 1989 and has stood up well under the stress of heat, windand rain.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens:

Anthers.--2.0 to 3.0 mm. in length.

Filaments.--6.0 to 8.0 mm in length; usually white except at the antherend which is pink.

Pollen.--Golden brown (Greyed/orange group 175C).

Pistils:

Number.--One

Length.--8.0 to 10.0 mm.

Stigma.--One; 5-6 parted; red-purple in color.

Style.--3.0 to 5.0 mm. in length; red-purple in color.

Ovaries: 4.0 to 5.0 mm. in length; 2.0 to 3.0 mm. in width; superior,pale green and very pubescent.

Fruit: None observed.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

This variety displays a unique and new color. The light orchid colorwith a touch of white in the center of each floret is a dramaticcontrast to the deep green foliage.

Outdoor performance has been excellent. Although exposed to extremeconditions, (high temperatures, excessive amounts of rain, etc.) thisvariety continues to bloom. The individual flower heads may be smallerbut there are many more of them than is seen on the typical zonal. Theplant habit maintains its compact uniform shape throughout the outdoorseason.

Indoor performance is also exceptional. It is early blooming, again withmany, medium sized blossoms. The good basal branching fills out the 4"pot and permits this variety to be a good cutting producer.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Geranium plant, substantiallyas shown and described.